KOTA BARU: Travellers from red zone states who recently returned to Kelantan for the holidays have brought the Covid-19 virus with them.
State Local Government, Housing and Health Committee chairman Dr Izani Husin said this was based on the statistics of Covid-19 cases today, which showed that 11 out of the 31 cases were imported from outside the state.
"The rise in Covid-19 cases since yesterday showed that the virus is already in the community.
"It also proved a prediction by the state Health Department that there will be a drastic increase during the public and school holidays," he told reporters after State National Security Council meeting today.
The meeting which began at 3pm was chaired by Kelantan Menteri Besar Datuk Ahmad Yakob.
Dr Izani said the other 20 Covid-19 positive cases in Kelantan today were from the Halban cluster, patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI).
He said the meeting decided to impose an Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) at Pondok Darulnaim where a cluster was detected.
"The Halban cluster recorded 29 positive cases yesterday and it prompted the National Security Council to impose an EMCO beginning today," he said.
He said Kelantan recorded 54 positive cases yesterday, but even the 31 new cases today was a cause for worry for the state government.
In the effort to curb further spread of the virus, Dr Izani said the state authorities had decided that wedding ceremonies should only be limited to 50 guests as compared to the 150-guest rule previously.
"The organiser also needs to apply for a permit from the police, and no children are allowed (to attend weddings). Ceremonies are only to be held from noon to 5pm," he said.